Voice Therapy is a Non-medical Treatment for Children's Vocal Nodules

Abstract

Introduction
Voice disorders due to vocal nodules have been a major cause of voice problems in school-aged children. Several behaviors such as excessive speaking, shouting too loudly, yelling may contribute to voice disorders due to vocal nodules, vocal polyps, vocal cysts, etc. Hoarseness due to vocal nodules may have an impact on their overall communication, social and educational development. Many treatment approaches exist which attempt to treat vocal nodules and hoarseness related to it such as surgery (medical treatment), voice therapy (nonmedical), vocal hygiene, etc. Even after the surgical treatment voice therapy plays a crucial role for further prevention and care for reoccurring of vocal nodules. Voice therapy holds a significant role in the treatment of vocal nodules.
Aim
This mini-review attempts to summarize studies on the efficacy of voice therapy for vocal nodules especially in school-aged children.
Method
A literature search was conducted using an electronic database such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google for the keywords “voice therapy” in “school aged children”. The results from the literature studies were summarized in a narrative manner.
Results
Existing findings from the literature review and the present review support the efficacy of voice therapy as a treatment option for vocal nodules. Various databases searched for the references related to the headings such as efficacy of voice therapy for vocal nodules in school children which were included in this mini-review were published from 1976 to 2018.
Conclusion
Treatment of voice disorders in children is one of the most challenging and difficult concerns for professionals. Voice disorders affect the overall development of the child in terms of oral communication and educational participation. Though many treatment modalities have been adapted for treating adult voice disorders but their efficacy in children is still a debatable concern. No one fixed voice therapy technique that can be generalized for all children and its time period/sessions. Several key factors play an important role in case of children learning these techniques such as child learning behaviors, environment, and parental participation, etc. But among all other treatments nonmedical (voice therapy) approach has been found to be helpful for vocal nodules in school-aged children. For effective voice management in school-aged children with hoarseness due to vocal nodules, the holistic approach may be up taken involving school teachers, parents, active participation of child and clinician to prevent such voice problems.